Portable, towable filtration unit

Abstract

A mobile, portable filter mechanism is disclosed that allows a single user both to transport and treat liquid. The device consists of a trailer-type vehicle that includes an expanded metal screen lying inside the rectangular body. A disposable filter bag is placed upon the screen and a pump is used to fill the bag. The treated water flows out of the bag and is collected in the collection basin located in the trailer body. A plug is located in the rear of the trailer to allow the treated liquid to be drained or pumped to another filter stage. Additionally, a hydraulic ram, of the standard dump-bed type is part of the apparatus and allows the user to drain the collected liquid and to aid in the disposition of the filter bag.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:  
     
         1 . A trailer and filter housing apparatus, said housing apparatus being towable behind a vehicle, said housing apparatus comprising: 
 a generally box-like structure having a front wall, a rear wall, an open top, a sealed bottom, and two side walls;    at least two wheels located proximate said side walls;    a trailer hitching means for attaching said generally box-like structure to a vehicle so that it can be towed, said trailer hitching means located on said front of said generally box-like structure;    a mesh screen disposed between said open top and said sealed bottom, said mesh screen defining a collection basin between said mesh screen and said sealed bottom;    an inlet port located on said front of said generally box-like structure;    an outlet port located on said rear of said generally box-like structure; and    tilting means to tilt said collection basin such that any liquid contained therein will, through gravity, tend to accumulate proximate said rear wall of said generally box-like structure, thus allowing the liquid to be decanted through said outlet port.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a trailer bed located beneath said generally box-like structure and wherein said tilting means comprises a hydraulic ram, said hydraulic ram being placed between said trailer bed and said generally box-like structure such that upon activation, said hydraulic ram will tilt said collection basin such that any liquid contained therein will, through gravity, tend to accumulate proximate said rear wall of said generally box-like structure, thus allowing the liquid to be decanted through said outlet port.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said mesh screen consists of expanded metal with a mesh opening size between 0.4 and 1.7 inches.